This is a Moog Rogue in a rack with midi and internal mains power supply. The original unit was badly damaged so this was a good way to keep the synth alive. A racking project like this is a time consuming task and normally costs around 500GBP to do.
What is a modification?
Modification [or modding] is the altering of the original factory build so that the unit can:
a) Be made more reliable
b) Perform new functions
c) To sound better
d) Adhere to current safety regulation
What is involved?
This, of course, depends on the item to be modified. Some mods are very simple like increasing the bass response of a TB303. This can be done without altering the external appearance of the unit and is simply the swapping out of a few components on the main circuit board.
While other modifications can be very complex, some requiring days of work. The SH-5 shown below was suffering from a damaged keyboard mechanism and several other faults. The customer wanted it seriously modded. The keyboard section was removed and a banana plug patch panel put in its place. A new circuit board was designed and fitted to allow for various CV and audio signals to enter and leave the SH-5. The low pass filter was modified to a Moog style ladder for a more weighty sound.
A major modification like this can work out to be very expensive. However, small mods can add much to the usefulness of your machine and can cost less than you think.
What about re-sale value of items that have been modified?
Many modified items can be less attractive to potential purchasers so you have be careful what you request. If you have a perfect condition RA Moog Minimoog, then you should not consider any modification at all. These sorts of items are an historical artifact and should be treasured as they are.
However, many old synths and effects are not as historically valuable as this and are ripe for modification if done properly.
I try to make my modifications reversible, so it would be possible for any decent technician to revert the item back to stock. Bear in mind that sometimes the front panel has to be drilled and new parts added to give you the functions you ask for.
Because I take care in the fitting of my modifications I like to think that "Oakley Mods" add something to the value of the instrument. Certainly many of my customers agree too.
Example Modifications
The list below gives just a taste of what I can offer. Feel free to ask about any other modifications you would like.
1. Roland SH-101 modifications
This is a popular series of modifications that I have developed over the years. I don't tend to recommend adding too much to the SH-101. Its beauty and effectiveness lies in its compact and simple front panel layout. One can get carried away with over-modifying the front panel until it is incredibly flexible but no longer friendly and fun to use. These are my recommended modifications - you can choose one or all of them:
a) Reduction of clicks on the output VCA. Price 15GBP
b) Filter FM: create burbling and complex tones. One rotary knob and one switch added. Price 40GBP
c) Triangle wave output from VCO, which can be routed pre or post VCF. One rotary knob and one switch, and some additional circuitry inside. Price 55GBP
d) LFO range control switch. Extra slow and extra fast LFO speeds. One three way toggle switch added. Price 30GBP
e) Multimode filter outputs. Get extra fizz with this one! One two way toggle switch added. Price 30GBP
f) External CV modulation inputs to VCF and VCO. One 3.5mm socket added for each. Price 15GBP each.
g) External audio input. One additional 3.5mm socket. Price 15GBP
Sound samples:
Simple sequence from the SH-101's internal sequencer with various real time tweaks. You will hear the filter FM control being tweaked whilst waveform source is changed. Listen out for the sudden change in tone as the filter mode is changed from normal to the fizz. Also, hear the sound deepen as the triangle wave is added to the VCA's input. External effects are reverb only. 2.09MB. SH-101a.mp3
Solo sound with filter FM and triangle wave being fed direct to the VCA. The VCF is being swept with the SH-101's ADSR which allows the pulse wave to come up in volume behind the triangle wave. 528KB SH-101b.mp3
One of my first modified SH-101 from a few years ago. The knobs I now use are lower profile and more in keeping with the SH-101. I would normally label the additional controls too.
2. The EH Smallstone
The 'Equinoxe' modification to the Russian made Electroharmonix Smallstone phaser pedal. This is a two stage modification. The first stage costs 45GBP and removes the 'color' switch and replaces it with a rotary pot. This new 'emphasis' control allows a wider range than the color switch so you to get rich sweeps almost identical to those heard on Jarre's Equinoxe album.
An mp3 sample of it in action can be found here: Equinoxe.mp3
The second stage of this mod gives you another rotary pot in place of the 'stomp' button. This pot allows you to control the depth of the effect, from fully 'dry' to 'wet'. This second mod costs 50GBP.
Please note, neither of these mods can be done on the US built Smallstone [the silver, red and black one] as the internal space is too restricted.
3. SCi Prophet 5 audio pathway upgrade
Clean up the audio pathway with this modification. Replaces the weakest links in the Prophet 5's analogue signal. Price 90GBP
4. Moog Rogue
Make it fatter! Real overdrive of the Moog ladder filter for a more squelchier tone. 35GBP
Internal mains power supply, with rear mounted IEC mains socket and mains switch. Its less hassle and runs your Moog cooler too. 90GBP
Distortion - make your Moog sound 'nasty'. This can be added as a switchable function using the now redundant power switch if an internal mains supply is fitted. Comes free with internal mains supply if requested.
Rack mounting is possible too. But its an expensive and time consuming business. Expect to pay around 500GBP for racking and midifying the Moog Rogue.
5. Moog Minimoog
I can add all sorts of things to this little beauty. Please contact me for pricing for the following work:
a) VCF EG inverted output
b) VCF EG sweep of VCO 2
c) VCO sync
d) Internal LFO
e) True CV and gate control
6. Roland TB-303
For 30GBP I can increase the bass response and increase the range of the 'frequency' and 'envelope modulation' pots.
I can also fit new colour LEDs as well as fit CV and gate sockets. I also offer a fitting service for the Sequentix midiBass 303 interface for midi input and output. That's right, you can record the TB303's internal sequencer to a computer via midi for editing and storage.
I can also fit an internal Lithium memory back up cell so you never have to worry about leaky batteries again.
7. Roland Jupiter-6
a) Does your noise setting on VCO-2 sound rather naff? Then let me improve it. The JP-6 features a really bad sounding noise source. I can make it sound more fuller and less 'crunchy'. Price 35GBP
b) Conversion of cross-mod to filter-FM. Roland's idea of cross modulation is not really cross modulation at all, but simple frequency modulation of VCO-1 from VCO-2. This can be useful in creating clangy sounds, but is often left unused by many JP-6 players. Convert it to something more useful with this mod. Filter-FM produces wonderful burbly, almost vocal type, sounds and without the disonance you normally get from FM. Price 80GBP
c) The left hand control panel with the bender also has an LFO, but its not terribly flexible. This first part of this extensive modification increases the range of the LFO so that it can go as low as one cycle every seven seconds to over 40Hz.
The mod also makes the output waveform more sinusoidal. The stock waveform is more like a rounded square wave and it doesn't make for a smooth vibrato. Changing it to a more smoother output creates a more musical vibrato or wah effect.
The third and most useful part of this modification is the addition of a new illuminated push switch. This latching switch lights up when you press it on. But if that were not enough, when engaged, the switch also holds the LFO permanently on. You don't have to keep your finger pressed onto the big white trigger button anymore, this new button latches the LFO on or off. You can now use LFO-2 as an ordinary modulation source. Of course, when the new switch is off, you can use the old trigger button as you would normally.
The price for the left hand controller modification is 80GBP.
Sound Samples:
1. Two lead type sounds with a little delay added externally. This is the filter FM sound used to create almost vocal type timbres. 474KB JP-6.mp3
2. This sample is just one Oakley Modded JP-6 with no overdubs. The bass sequence is a simple arpegiation on the lower section, note that the filter is given more life with a bit of filter FM. The lead line is the upper section of the same synth. The new filter FM gives the sound a vocal like quality when resonance is turned up after the first phrase. Notice the unusual effect when the now slower LFO-2 is triggered; this pulls down the cut-off frequency of the VCF adding even more life to the sound. The only external effects are a bit of delay and reverb. 1.5MB JP-6_2.mp3
Please contact me for further information and particular requests.
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Telephone: 8-30am to 5-00pm Weekdays only (UK
time) +44 (0) 1768 896722.
Mailing address: Oakley Sound Systems, Ruckcroft, Armathwaite, Carlisle, CA4 9QR, UK
Copyright: Tony Allgood
Last revised: September 16, 2008
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